months being tended to around-the-clock, as many as to to doctors -- as 20 to doctors trying to take care of the icon. unfortunately, the last couple days his family made a clear things were not going well, then today the news. of the countless people who , president obama talked about the inspirations that were set into motion and fulfilled on so many levels by nelson mandela, and how that inspiration needs to carry on well beyond today. here's the president. >> nelson mandela lived for that ideal and made it real. he achieved more than could be expected of any man. today he has gone home. we have lost one of the most influential, courageous, and profoundly good human beings that any of us will ever share time with on this earth. he no longer belongs to us. he belongs to the ages. >> that last line there from president obama, he belongs to the ages, reminiscent of another famous quote, which was after president lincoln was declared dead, standing coming forward who reportedly said, "now he belongs to the ages." just one more sign of the significance of the passing of nelson mandela. nowh